Chapter 8.4, Problem 7C

To determine

To find:

The slope of the line that passes through the given points. Tell whether the slope is positive , negative , zero , or undefined .

Answer to Problem 7C

The slope of the linepassing through the given points is zero.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

Two points on a line: $(-7,4)\text{and (}5,4)$ .

Concept used:

  $\begin{array}{l}m=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1},\text{where,}\\ m=\text{Slope of line,}\\ y_2-y_1=\text{Difference between two }y\text{-coordinates}\\ x_2-x_1=\text{Difference between two }x\text{-coordinates of same }y-\text{coordinates}\end{array}$

Calculation:

Let point $(-7,4)=(x_1,y_1)\text{and (}5,4)=(x_2,y_2)$ . Upon substituting our given coordinates in slope formula, we will get:

  $\begin{array}{l}m=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ m=\frac{4-4}{5-(-7)}\\ m=\frac{0}{5+7}\\ m=0\end{array}$

Therefore, the slope of the line passing through the given points iszero.